Clothes!!

Depending on where she lives, and how cold it gets through the winter, a blanket that she can cuddle in wherever and whenever they want to. I bought the "pile" ones, which are thick and quite heavy, for grandson years ago and every year he would ask for another one. He took that thing everywhere, camping, sleep overs, even out on the deck in the evenings. Best gift I have ever given him. He gets a new one every second year, now in High School so it's a find a gift this year. The girls too have picked up on the same tradition, sometimes showing me the ones they like best . If she lives near you maybe you could buy the fleece and help her make her own knotted blanket. Great way to spend time with her before she gets into makeup and boys. They grow up way too fast!!!

Does she have a tablet? The kindle fire 7" is on sale at some places for as low as $35 right now and through the holidays.

If she's not into make-up this might not interest her, but I recently gave this as a gift to a 12 year old. It's temporary hair "chalk" so they can put colorful streaks in their hair that will just shampoo out.

hair chalk kit

I never liked when people bought me clothes because they never chose things I liked. :p Are there any arts, crafts, or hobbies she likes or might want to try? Does she play games or sports? Does she have a watch? Would she like jewelry or some other accessory (hat, gloves, etc.)? Many options at that age!

Itunes store or Amazon gift certificate?

I think most teenyboppers would want an iPad over a Kindle, given a choice. Kindles aren't cool, they're more what their moms and grandmas use.

Does she like music? Maybe a couple of Itune cards. Gift cards are always nice that is what my grand daughter likes.

My kids beg me to take them to Starbucks. $10 gift cards make good stocking stuffers.

My 12 yo dd wants a Polaroid camera. She also loves Hot Topic and would love a gift card there so she can buy a bunch of Dr. Who themed stuff, jewelry and anime and band t-shirts. She likes to pick out stuff at Bath and Body Works for herself too. She doesn't turn down an opportunity for a mani/pedi either.

I'm thinking about getting my 13 yo ds something called an Ezyroller riding machine. Supposedly girls love them too. They are $99 on Amazon. Look like a lot of good fun and exercise.

Nail Art Stickers?

Rainbow Loom?

That's the age, right? Not that many girls? I'm deep into a morass of 8 girls from 12-22 (plus half a dozen more who are a bit younger). At least six are getting jewelry rolls with some inexpensive jewelry in them. Some are quite religious, so I checked with the moms first, and made sure about pierced ears. The one they loved, but was a lot of work wrapping, was fold out dressing cases, like the old train cases, but shaped more like a tackle box with the trays that lift up to display. Inside, each got a pad of paper, pen, thumb drive, mini-speaker, screen cleaning cloth, earbud winder thing, keychain and purse hanger mirror. The case can hold makeup (in the future), or jewelry, or just bits and pieces. They all got different colors/patterns, some of which are wild like pink and black zebra stripes.

Other ideas for the 13-14 group: A build your own terrarium kit (comes with the plants). A knitting bowl (holds a ball of yarn and has holes to put your needles through to keep your work straight). A jewelry tree. A new baseball glove (for the so inclined). A beautiful music box with a space for a few trinkets -- but one that plays a more modern and less expected song than Lara's Theme. :)

Have you asked the mom what she's into? One of the girls is really into anime, and loves dressing up in anime style. I got her a whole outfit -- skirt with braces, sweetheart blouse, tights with "stockings" (dark to over the knee, then nude) with cat faces on the tops, pink anime wig and felt hat with ears. It's sort of on the line between costume and clothing, and she's going to love it. (Okayed by the mom.)

Yes she will be 14 in February, only one grandchild. Alas, only one grandchild to buy for, poor thing.. Lol

great ideas! Thanks everyone.

Sterling silver and gemstone jewelry: a dainty ring, earrings, or a pretty pendant.

Art books, art supplies.

An MP3 player, or a speaker to hook one up.

Uggs earmuffs. (A much more affordable choice than the boots.)

A new video game.

Eau de toilette.

Personalized stationery.

Is she a shoe lover at her young age? Perhaps a GC to DSW so she can choose her own pair or even a handbag. Girls love boots.

Does her family go away for long weekends or on vacation much? A piece of carry-on luggage is something she will have for many, many years to come. And if she doesn't get to use it too often now, she can store things in it and have it when she needs it. Even a nice overnight tote would work nicely as a gift...or a backpack.

How about a makeup mirror and she will probably be using makeup in the near future. I loved my makeup mirror at that age and wish I still had it but ended up giving it to my then 14 year old niece.

Movie tickets

Bowling certificate

Jewelry/craft stuff

McDonald's certificate

The Kindle is a great idea!

I just wonder if they would like any "old school" games/board games? Twister, Monopoly, Trouble.

Maybe card games? Phase 10, Uno, Old Maids!

Ear wraps (like ear muffs but wrap around the back of your head.)

I've seen really cute hats with long tails with pockets in the bottom for your hands, or you can wrap them around your neck like a scarf.

There are also experience types of gifts if you have the budget. If she's horse mad but has no hope of having her own, a few lessons from an equestrian trainer (or rodeo if that's her passion) might be great. Or private tango lessons. Or a spelunking trip near home. If you're near a coast, maybe tidepools, or a cleanup day. A cooking course. Maybe even something you can do together.

I don't know what state you are in, but two years ago when my great nieces were that age, they loved Jamba Juice gift cards, and gift cards for Forever 21.

It was easier, now they are 16. They like boys, have boyfriends, and both of them drive - I'd love to turn the clock back ;)

The trickiest thing in buying for young teenage girls, IMHO, is to NOT go the cliché route.

She may be a complete tomboy not interested in makeup and clothes in the slightest, if you give her a gift like that she may grin and bear it but not really like it.

I think I'm still trying to work my way through lotions, bubble baths, girly gifts, etc that I received en masse as a teenager and that was 20 years ago!!! (Not really, I threw most of it away years ago but you get my point)

If she's into art then art supplies, if she's a girly girl some nice makeup or jewelry, if she's into music, an iTunes or Google play gift card, if she's into sports, some equipment for her preferred sport, etc.

Shopping for teens and pre-teens is more like shopping for adults than kids.

I could give you a run down of good gifts for a 5 year old boy or girl, but a 25 year old woman or man? It all depends on preferences. If you want to give a GREAT gift, give a gift that recognizes who they are and what they like instead of a generic gift.

If all else fails, cash is good. It may seem and feel like a cop out but unless this teen has her own allowance and bank account, she probably doesn't get cash carte blanche and nothing makes a young person happier and feel more grown up than having their OWN cash to CHOOSE what they will spend it on. Even if its just junk food at the mall! ;)

Thanks everyone.

Youve been a big help.